Really? Please explain how a 35-year airline captain has done "more for his country" than a military, combat veteran.[/QUOTE]

Your post stated that he did more for his country AND THEREFORE THE INDUSTRY. It's the latter that I have a problem with.

There are a lot of union people out there that volunteered many, many hours to make this a safer, and therefore, "better" industry. Pretty tough to do that when you're not a union member.